Rare and Treasured Bourbon Releases: Elijah Craig Holiday 4-Pack – K&L California Whiskey News

An Unbeatable Holiday 4-Pack from a Best-Selling Brand
Elijah Craig Barrel Strength B522 and Toasty Goodness Pack (4x750ml) ($159.99)
Including reference-point favorites and coveted, allocated releases…

The iconic Heaven Hill distillery is the source for most of our best-selling whiskey bundles, and the Elijah Craig bottlings are the cornerstone of that success. Just in time for the holidays, we’ve assembled a must-have four-pack that will thrill longtime fans of this beloved brand, as well as anyone who just loves unbeatable value-for-price whiskey. Not only will avid bourbon aficionados be able to re-stock on the always excellent Small Batch and Rye at a below-market discount, but they will also get their hands on two highly coveted offerings that have always been under tight allocation—the Barrel Strength Batch B522, which just garnered 92 points and an Editor’s Choice designation from Whisky Advocate for its “perfectly tempered sweetness and depth,” and the 93-point Toasted Barrel, a ramped up rendition of the benchmark Small Batch that we seldom see on the open market. The best part, of course, is that our bundle price brings these four outstanding whiskeys to you for much less than what you’d pay at the individual retail prices, making it a can’t-miss proposition for bourbon lovers everywhere, or for anyone with a bourbon lover on their gift list. But fast action is required, as availability is limited.

Elijah Craig Barrel Strength B522 and Toasty Goodness Pack (4x750ml) ($159.99)

Heaven Hill makes some of the most sought-after whiskey in Kentucky. The Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel and Barrel Strength releases are highly allocated and nearly impossible to find at MSRP. Here you’re getting a bottle of Barrel Strength B522 and Toasted Barrel plus the Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon and Rye. If you add up all of the MSRPs this bundle not only gives you access to the hard to find items, but saves you $20 over buying all four bottles separately. Hard to argue with that. Re-stock your bar with two of the best staples coming out of the Bluegrass State and sock the fancy stuff away for a rainy day. If you’ve got a bourbon lover on your holiday shopping list this year, they’re sure to be thrilled with this box.

Elijah Craig “Small Batch” Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) (Regularly $24.99)

91 points Whisky Advocate: “Subtly complex and nicely rounded. A bed of sweetness (caramel, vanilla) peppered with honey-kissed fruit, golden raisin, and a hint of marzipan. Pleasing oak grip and dried spice on the finish. A great value for such a high-quality bourbon. (JH, Spring 2017)”

K&L Notes: Coming from the great master distiller Parker Beam, the Elijah Craig bourbon has to be one of the best value bourbons on the market! Great balance of sweetness and spice. Also, at 94 proof, it has just the right amount of kick.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: May 24, 2017

Elijah Craig Small Batch remains one of the best values in the shop. Composed of 8- to 12-year-old bourbons distilled at the Bernheim Distillery in Louisville. Despite removing the age statement, Heaven Hill’s flagship brand remains one of the best values in the store. This style is dark, nutty, and honeyed with minty spice to round out the ultra-rich texture. The higher proof does great things for this one and not a whole lot of stuff can touch this in the price point.

Elijah Craig Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml) (Regularly $29.99)

94 points Whisky Advocate: “Elijah Craig always impresses with value, but until now has been confined to bourbon. This foray into rye whiskey sticks close to Elijah Craigs bourbon roots by using only the minimum-required 51% rye in its formulation; however, it does achieve a nice departure in flavor. Aromas include butterscotch, caramel-nut clusters, and peppery spice. The spice ramps up on the palate, carried forward by the full body, hearty proof, and mouth-coating texture, as cherry cola, baking chocolate, and darker fruits emerge. Priced a notch below comparable peers, this rye delivers powerful flavors that feel excitingly untamed, and will impress bourbon and rye lovers alike. *#7, Top 20 Whiskies of 2020* (JL, Winter 2020)”

94 points Wine Enthusiast: “The complex aromas suggest red fruit, vanilla and allspice. The first sips open with oak, leading to hints of dried cherry and cranberry midpalate. That fruit note extends into the elongated, mouthwatering finish, backed by cinnamon and cayenne heat. *Best Buy* (KN)” (03/2022)

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: May 06, 2021

I have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of Elijah Craig Rye since it was first released to limited markets in the U.S. in early 2020. Over a year and many prominent awards and critical reviews later, it feels like I’ve waited a lifetime. Fortunately, now that it is actually in my glass, it has actually lived up to my expectations and the hype. It has fully delivered on the value proposition that is the Elijah Craig brand, a move that makes Heaven Hill one of the greatest in the business. The whiskey is bursting with flavor; rye obviously takes center stage, but it is so well supported by the high corn and malted barley content that it never overshadows its co-conspirators. Sweet spice (in other words, not peppery spice) envelops the palate. Generous toasted oak leans towards coconut. The caramels and vanillas are also there; I want to say prominent, but it isn’t the right word, because while it’s robust, there are no hard edges. It’s a rounded rye in style and texture. At 94 proof (the same as EC’s Small Batch Bourbon), it has the easy drinkability I associate with the brand without missing the punch so many modern whiskey fans love and expect. A modern classic, no doubt, and one that has managed to stay true to everything I expect from Elijah Craig. No easy feat considering the very high bar I hold for the mark.

Elijah Craig “Toasted Barrel” Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) (Regularly $54.99)

93 points Wine Enthusiast: “This needs a few minutes to open up to reveal a rich caramel aroma. The palate is markedly sweet and spicy, showing vanilla, caramel and a mix of cinnamon and cayenne. Adding water tones down the heat and brings a flavor or cinnamon red-hot candies wrapped in caramel squares. A vanilla accent smooths over the long exit. It’s a small-batch Bourbon finished in toasted new oak. (KN)” (07/2021)

Whisky Advocate: “Initially reticent on the nose, with time this reveals gooey caramel, pralines, Hershey’s milk chocolate, and a touch of charred mint leaves. It’s chewy and occasionally sharp on the palate, with oodles of roasted nuts, polished oak, mint, peppery spice, dark chocolate, licorice, tobacco ash, and char. The medium-length finish holds tingling white pepper, unsweetened chocolate, and more polished oak. (SSB, Fall-2020)”

K&L Notes: This is a different take on Elijah Craig’s classic and beloved Small Batch Bourbon. A judicious application of a new toasted barrel takes the well-known profile of one of our best-selling bourbons and kicks it up several notches. This whiskey is a new offering from the brand and was recently launched on an allocated basis, making it highly desirable yet difficult to find.

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof “Batch B522” Kentucky Bourbon (750ml) (Regularly $69.99)

92 points Whisky Advocate: “The maturity is instantly apparent, with a nose of chocolate cloaked in old oak and antique leather, but also offers red berries and aged herbs at the edges. Plenty of depth on a buttery palate of chocolate, almond, gooey caramel, vanilla ice cream, and ripe banana. On the finish, chocolate, raspberry jam, and espresso bean. This one has aged gracefully, with perfectly tempered sweetness and depth. *Editor’s Choice* (DF, Fall 2022)”

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